Last November, the 2009 and 2010 board of directors for
NYCPMA met to review the past year and think about programs and initiatives for
the year to come. As we shared ideas, we also discussed the importance of
involving the membership, working together, and asking for help when we needed
it. Well, I confess, there were moments in the past few months when I forgot
these key points, especially the last one.

I know that you need to involve
members, keep them active, make them owners of the organization - it's how you
grow and generate excitement about your group. But we all have days when it
seems easier to just do it yourself. Oh, I know what needs to be done, it's
faster for me to do it than explain it to someone else, I'll just take care of
it myself. Wrong! We all want to share our knowledge, our expertise, our new
ideas. And yes, we all need a little help sometimes.

So what happens when we ask for help? Usually we get it. We
asked members to lead small group discussions at our last program and you know
what? They did! We asked for experts outside of our industry and you know what?
We got them! We asked you not only to attend our program but to take an active
role in sharing your experiences and expertise and you know what? You did!

I ask you to continue on this path-participate in our
programs, be a part of a committee, share your ideas with the board
members-involve yourself! Let's make sure we all have the opportunity to learn
from each other!

Small Group Discussions on Current
Industry Topics Featured at February Meeting

by Anatasia (Stacey) CourtneyManager,
Exhibits and Special Sessions Modern Language Association

Back by popular demand ... attendees at our February chapter luncheon meeting participated in peer-to-peer round-table discussions covering five industry topics of interest. Most attendees moved as a group from one table to the next, spurring
conversation and connections during the 20-minute round-robin sessions while broadening the discussions by allowing
attendees to refer to ideas or thoughts generated from a previous topic.

Think of the last email you received from someone you didn't
know. How quickly did you form an opinion of that person? Whether it was a
colleague in another division or a vendor prospecting for your business, within
a second or two, you made a judgment call about the writer's credibility and
the value of the emessage.

Email, when used right, builds relationships and expands networks.
When used thoughtlessly, it can pretty much ruin a business reputation*. A
poorly written email doesn't just get deleted, it can diminish productivity, destroy
sales and decimate morale.

Every January the meetings industry comes together for the
most important event of year. This year the PCMA Annual Meeting took place in
Dallas Texas. From the moment I arrived at DFW, it was obvious that PCMA knew
how to greet its guests .... It is important when planning to attend the annual meeting that you
bring your energy and come hungry! Read More ...

by Caitlin Mariano NYPCMA Student Chapter PresidentUniversity of New Haven

This was my third Annual Meeting, and I continue to
be blown away by PCMA's ability to put on a good conference as well as a good
party. The sessions were different than all the other years, and the nightlife
was very entertaining and enjoyed by all age groups ...

My first memory of
Jerry Connors is from December 2000. He'd come to DC to check in on our
convention and made a point of stopping by my headquarters office to see how
everything was going. From that point on, it seemed as though Jerry was always
there when needed. Whether it is a client's meeting or a chapter program, Jerry
has supported his colleagues in the industry and by doing so, has exemplified
what a true industry partner should be. From calling a local hotel to help
resolve an issue, to giving a ride to a planner who wanted to attend a chapter
program outside the city, he steps up and takes care of business.

We hear time and
again that the hospitality industry is about relationships; Jerry takes that
message to heart. He knows his clients, their meetings, and the properties he
works with. With all the recent changes in many hotel chains, that knowledge,
and desire to use it to further the long-term relationships, has become more
valued than ever.

As a planner, I know I count on the relationships I have with
suppliers to help me make my meetings succeed. By building long-term
relationships, and by supporting his clients, Jerry (and the many partners we
have like him) provides both tangible and intangible benefits to his company as
well. Knowledge and trust are commodities that will always sell.

As an example of
the ideal partner, Jerry Connors is my member of the quarter.

Network the NEW way with
SPEED MEETING! Join us for wine,
light fare and the perfect networking setting. You'll get one-to-one
time with each supplier/planner you
choose - no distractions, no interruptions...

Being a supporter of the NYPCMA Chapter creates
goodwill between your organization and the membership.

NYPCMA offers opportunities for you to demonstrate your commitment to
the professionalism and development of the meetings and hospitality
industry ... as well as access to a targeted
audience, to showcase your products and/or services.

No sponsorship is
considered too small and there are many ways to co-partner with other
suppliers, or even planners, to make your contribution go even
further.

There are still a few opportunities available for 2010: June's Speaker, Network For The Needy, Educational Sessions during September's Education Day, Meeting Sponsor for November NJ Meeting.

If
you're looking for an event focused on shared ideas and solutions to our
industry's challenges, this is the event for you. PCMA has enhanced its
popular
Leadership Conference to a robust three day program designed to gather
meetings
industry professionals for a highly interactive program based on the
hottest
issues, topics and trends in meetings today.

We
will be collecting them at our April chapter meeting for Coupons for the Community

Coupons for the Community is a
volunteer organization that helps local food pantries by using your
unwanted coupons to stretch the limited dollars available from
government funding and public donations.

Donating coupons costs you
nothing; turn them into more food and non-edible essentials like
toiletries and hygiene products for the members of our community that
need them most. (Note that many necessities of life like soap, laundry
detergent and toilet tissue are not covered by food stamps.)

PCMA New York Area Chapter's main purpose is to represent PCMA on a local level by offering quality educational seminars, along with the opportunity for members to contribute their time, knowledge, and experience through networking and committee involvement to further the professionalism of the meetings industry.